I woke and found myself outside the temple. I turned to see that Shiva's corpse next to me.
The snow also hinted that I was dragged where the snow was scraped. The snowstorm calmed to a mere gentle snowfall.
I saw that I wore the robes once more.
"Nice show back there." Came a mischevious voice.
I suddenly whirled round to see a purple fluffy creature staring back at me. His eyes were also purple.
"I am Zidune and I look after the temple. I may be a cheeky Imp but that doesn't stop me from maintenance. My kind were always the hard workers and ain't afraid of the dirty work.
Listen. I heard you were going home. So let me tell you. The next stone: The Amethyst of Shadow is on Crystalia. The world of darkness. It is the most dangerous world indeed but don't let that stop you from claiming the stone." He said.
"Why are you telling me all this?" I asked.
"To get you out of my temple and to help you get rid of that pest from wrecking the place. Take the girl back and move on" The imp spoke.
I got up, picked Shiva, and mounted on the winged beast.
"Hey, ill meet you on the planet. I know all the shortcuts; get you there quicker." The imp said before entering the temple.
I sighed as I flew back to the skycastle. There the king looked at me as I held the ambassador in my hands.
"Sheva...oh no..."
"Dragas murdered her. I saw it with my eyes." I said.
"This is bad...murder of another avian is execution." He said.
"I did the honours sir" I said
"That is acceptable. The Chosen One can assume the executor when the situation calls for it. Otherwise a public execution would be needed and you have the stone. Hand it over." He said. Without ever realising the benefits of the robes. I asked.
"What? I thought the robes would see me as the one chosen by Aeries!" I said.
"Yes but with so many people chosen by the clothes. No one has ever proven that the robes have indeed. If you want to truly prove your worthiness then you shall trial against my fine guardians then you can keep the stone." He said "Return to shiva's castle and await the trial" he said.
I bowed and made my leave. The mount let out a concerning groan as I mounted.
"Shiva is gone. Its just me now." I said before I went to the castle to wait for the challenge.
Then, as I looked to the basement. I saw a squadron of those fighters approaching. I smiled as I sat on shiva's on. Hearing a quiet angelic hum as the aircraft whirred into life.
"Lets show these masters, what for." I pulled down the fancy goggles and off I went.
The squadron maintained formation as I closed in. Just as I came into firing range, they threw all sorts at me; missiles, lasers and magical spells.
I dodged and swerved to avoid them but the squadron separated. Hoping to lure me to chase one down. I didn't, I was busy watching the ship evolve. Enclosing me in a pod as the rest of the metal transformed into an elegant craft. I saw that they were going to hit me from multiple angles so I did the unthinkable; by doing a massive plummet towards the pressurised depths. The fighters chased me through but what I headed to was the mountains and, by winding through the peaks, that I briefly lost them.
That gave me the chance to sneak around and I managed to catch a long Avian. I opened fire with my blasters, quickly taking out the foe. I followed with the rest of the enemy until one got lucky and caught me attacking the second to last. The engine got caught and soon it combusted into a comet of blue fire. The cockpit alarmed furiously as I tried to keep her stead. With the attacker about to mount the finishing blow; I dropped the throttle and turned upside down before blasting him out of the sky.
"Sheesh, those Avians are really good." I muttered but the engine died and I was to glide on whatever momentum, I have left.
I headed for the castle and gently landed the ship on a grassy clearing before making my way to the throne room.
As I entered the hall. I noticed that all of the Avians bowed as I strolled in. I was glowing, to my surprise and for some reason the power allowed me to speak in their language.
"Ge ha kildra Yemen Avias, gu supra."
Which basically means I fucked your best pilots up. The king went to me and handed me the Stone.
"Aera Ruck fin' ni her clawds. Dishdra ni yura jarna."
Meaning, the stone's yours, wishing you luck in your journey.
He then grunted as the imp walked in.
"Yo. Heard you're done here. Lets get to Crystalia so you can get the Amethyst." He said to me.
While Zidune prepped his own ship, I boarded the bridge of the cruiser and swapped the robes for my casual wear.
Phoenix appeared once more on the table.
"Those robes suit you." She chuckled.
"Yeah yeah. We're following a little imp to Crystalia" I said.
The AI gave me a discerning face.
"An Imp? Are you sure? Because all they do is cause trouble. If you are trusting such a nasty little shrimp, then when it does backstab, its going to be you!" She barked before hiding in her core.
"Phoenix..."
"Why do you trust such a bad creature when you trust me? BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU WILL DIE ON THE PLANET! In that case, im locking the ship down until you have chosen to turn down the imp and we go when we are ready." She said as the vessel locks me in the bridge.
I leaned over the table. "Phoenix...I don't trust anything...i cant trust an AI nor an imp. All I want is home and I will take every means to get there. If he offers a shortcut that could keep me alive then so it will be." I said but she didn't answer. I walked up to the bridge's controls. I have clearnece to override her controls so, with my keys, I opened the glass panel, covering a lever, labellied Manual Override, and gripped it.
I sighed and uttered.
"I'm sorry but I have to take every chance..."
I pulled and the ship unlocks, allowing me fully control the ship. I saw a rattling purple ship, making loud bangs but flying abnormally into space. I followed in my massive beast and we headed towards Crystalia.